'Proof of commitment' | US offshore wind leader New Jersey opens round 4 to contract up to 4GW

New Jersey opened its fourth offshore wind solicitation 30 April seeking between 1.2-4GW of capacity to add to its nation-leading 5.2GW already under contract, the state Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) announced.

Propelled by staunch sector supporter governor Phil Murphy, the state has set a goal of 11GW by 2040 and invested hundreds of millions into offshore wind port, supply chain, and transmission infrastructure.

“This latest solicitation is further proof of our commitment to building a strong and thriving offshore wind industry that will deliver undeniable economic and environmental benefits to our state, for both this generation and the next,” said governor Murphy.

“BPU’s latest solicitation will help guarantee that New Jersey residents have access to clean, affordable energy produced right here at home and powered by our very own union workforce.”

Orsted was a key investor in EEW’s monopile manufacturing plant in Paulsboro, 60 miles (100 km) east of Atlantic City, and its exit from the state left the investment in limbo.

Leading Light and Attentive are now pledged to invest a combined $164m to keep the monopile maker viable as it builds capacity to fully fabricate foundations in the Garden State.

Shell-EDF’s 1.5GW Atlantic Shores awarded in the state’s round 2 in 2021 also remains alive and continues development activities despite questions raised over its offtake contract.

While the Attentive project was awarded at $131/MWh and Invenergy's Leading Light at $112/MWh, industry advocacy group American Clean Power Association estimates Atlantic Shores at only $59/MWh.

New Jersey has the most capacity under contract as multiple projects have failed amid surging inflation and interest rates and supply chain turmoil.

The round 4 closes at 1700 on 10 July this year, NJBPU said.